Wellness month and hobbies – what do our creators of special experiences do in their free time? Work and hobby go hand in hand
2024-11-12T13:58:10
As part of Wellness Month, we continue to introduce the hobbies of our team members, which help them stay sharp and uplifted, creating the perfect atmosphere for memorable guest experiences.
Anu Seppel, Marketing Manager, Tallink Hotels
What is your hobby?
I am not sure if it counts as a hobby when you get paid for it, but I do editing and book translation. I have been doing this alongside my main job for the last 15 years, and since it does not pay much, I suppose I can consider it a hobby.
How did you manage to combine your work and hobby?
To be honest, I had no idea what to study after high school, so I chose the path I was good at – writing! I ended up studying Estonian philology, and after graduating, I had a diploma as a teacher of Estonian language and literature. My additional fields of study, editing and public relations psychology, have proven useful to me to this day. I started working as an editor during my second year and worked at Autoleht magazine for six years. Eventually, I began writing and translating on the side, and now, 15 years into my marketing career, I still occasionally translate and edit.
What makes this enjoyable for you, and how does it add value to your life?
This is my way of creating beauty. I think this need is deeply ingrained, especially in women – to arrange and beautify things around us. For me, this takes form in arranging words and thoughts, a process I find a bit meditative. It also greatly expands my knowledge, allowing me to read (often well before publication!) books I wouldn’t otherwise pick up and to explore new ideas.
What’s your most memorable experience related to your work and hobby?
The mistakes you make tend to be the most memorable! For instance, once we printed Volkswagen Tiguan and konkurenid on the cover of Autoleht, and we had to distribute nearly 13,000 copies with that typo. One of my proudest moments was last summer when I learned that I had passed the editing qualification exam, which only 30–50% of candidates pass. I was so pleased with myself!
What advice would you give someone who is looking for a vocation to build their life around but does not know where to start?
For me, what has worked is focusing on what I enjoy and am good at – investing in my strengths! I also believe in going with the flow; while you can swim upstream, it’s easier to move with the current. Even if you don’t always know where it is taking you, life has a way of carrying you along.
Karl-Robert Kleen, Technician, Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel Conference Centre
What is your hobby?
I would say working and playing with both old and new tech.
How did you manage to combine your work and hobby?
Honestly, it was a coincidence. I have always enjoyed working with tech, and when I started working at the conference centre, I realised how much I could do what I love.
What makes this enjoyable for you, and how does it add value to your life?
I like the independence in my work and the chance to learn something new. There is never just one solution, and finding the best one always lifts my spirits. I enjoy the challenge, knowing that even with difficult tasks, my intuition tells me that the solution is near. It has taught me patience because I know the first attempt is not always perfect, but there is always a reason to try again.
What is your most memorable experience related to your work and hobby?
My most memorable experience was when I got to play on a friend’s PlayStation 2 as a kid – that is where it all started. A more professional memory is from my first internship, where I helped with a live broadcast of a 24-hour motorcycle race in Southern Estonia. Being right in the middle of it, doing what I loved, felt amazing.
What advice would you give someone who’s looking for a vocation to build their life around but doesn’t know where to start?
Try new things and give yourself time to find what you truly enjoy.
Timo Tamm, Designer and Brand Ambassador, Tallink Hotels
What is your hobby?
My hobbies change over time – I get inspired quickly and lose interest just as fast. Recently, as a city-dweller in Tallinn, I have become a big fan of the arts, spending a lot of time at the theatre. I have also settled into working with materials I can shape with my hands and aesthetic vision, especially wood and paper.
How did you manage to combine your work and hobby?
I think I got a clear direction from my mother, a lifelong crafts and drawing teacher. I started earning pocket money doing design work, and eventually, it became my career. I now work as a designer at Tallink Hotels.
What makes this enjoyable for you, and how does it add value to your life?
My curiosity and need for novelty keep me engaged in design, where there is no chance of getting bored. It is satisfying to create harmony out of small parts – making something cohesive and unique. That is the essence of a harmonious life, which is very fulfilling.
Recently, I read *The Mountain of Silence*, which included a memorable quote from St. Paisios (1924–1994):
“When a person doesn’t love their work, they become doubly tired – physically and mentally. If they’re tired mentally, no amount of physical rest will restore their energy.” This deeply resonated with me, affirming that when work brings joy, rest comes naturally.
What advice would you give someone who is looking for a vocation to build their life around but doesn’t know where to start?
Trust your mind and hands, experiment to see what they create together, and observe if it sparks interest in others. Then, you are ready for your first startup.